ESPN article on the GA Tech UCONN game

[mcannon1]

Auriemma bleak on UConn after loss to Ga. Tech

 

[stlvolsfan]

Auriemma bleak on UConn after loss to Ga. Tech

I think this is part of his motivating tactic…tell them they’re bad and hope they respond. One thing I can say is, I do feel like some of his players, i.e. Williams and Westbrook have not improved in their time at UConn.

 

[sisaq]

I think this is part of his motivating tactic…tell them they’re bad and hope they respond. One thing I can say is, I do feel like some of his players, i.e. Williams and Westbrook have not improved in their time at UConn.

I'm suprise how those to players skills are dropping. Last yr they were very good even when they played us. Wondering wat happened to them.

 

[creekdipper]

No one should ever take Auriemma's poor-mouthing seriously. If they did, Brady, Patterson, and the other 5-star recruits would already be cancelling their reservations to Storrs.

The whole allure of playing there is to win championships and to reach their individual potential. Since the former hasn't happened lately and he says he's lost his ability to develop players (at least with this group), why would players go there...if they actually believed him (which they don't)? Just typical Geno mediaspeak, good for filling up columns but worthless otherwise.

I wonder what the in-game exchange between him and his assistant (Jamelle?) was about. Even Boneyarders asked about that, as neither appeared happy with the other. On the other hand, maybe they were just commiserating over the offensive chaos.

 

[Rickster]

Great, a second thread on last nights UConn game. Just what we needed. Guess the non thread is no longer good enough for some.

 

[Amb3096]

I think this is part of his motivating tactic…tell them they’re bad and hope they respond. One thing I can say is, I do feel like some of his players, i.e. Williams and Westbrook have not improved in their time at UConn.

Westbrook has gotten more efficient, but also became more passive in the process. She does not appear to want to be the go-to player at the moment.

Williams has been pretty much the same "hot and cold" player since she walked onto their campus. But she's had her share of "hot" games against the best teams where you can see why she was #1 in her class. She just can't consistently perform at that level.

 

[creekdipper]

Unfortunately, Miss Not Sorry always seems at her best against us. Without her, we win last year in Knoxville.

 

[Amb3096]

Unfortunately, Miss Not Sorry always seems at her best against us. Without her, we win last year in Knoxville.

It was one game, and she had the benefit of Paige being on the court to suck up all of the defensive attention.

I disagree with many posters who don't think she's any good. I think she's a pretty good player, but she's not good enough to carry UConn to beating Tennessee if she's their go-to player.

 

[Bakers1]

I'm suprise how those to players skills are dropping. Last yr they were very good even when they played us. Wondering wat happened to them.

For years I hear all the talk about how many Uconn players are in the WNBA. And they have had a lot!!! . A coaches job is to make their players better each year and prepare them for success at next level right? Sure DT Charles Bird Collier Stewart Cash and Moore have been beyond great. Hayes, Williams, Dolson and Montgomery very good careers better that expected. Now remember how many top players that get out of High School most likely more than any other program. . KML was a #1 she had no impact in the WNBA same with M Walker she was a co number 1I believe (look at her stats? they are awful), Strother was #1 (little to no impact) , Samuelson #1 player (little to no impact), Dangerfield was #3 great rookie year but was way down this season it's my take she won't have much of an impact going forward, Highly ranked M Jefferson has had injuries but just a role player for the most part, C Williams was a #1 0r #2 she doesn't even look to be getting better as a college player, Charde Houston #2 behind Parker role-player at best, Tamika Williams was at op 3 recruit maybe #1 was at best a role player.

I realize I didn't list every UCONN player drafted. I tried to stick with highly ranked players who were also high draft picks. DT Moore Stewart were can't miss WNBA picks. Bird Collier Cash were close to can't miss. Geno is partially responsible for their success, In my opinion, those other top players I listed never got better . They were high picks who didn't live up to their hype or their draft pick. If you give coaches some credit for the successes you need to give them some responsibility with failures or those who didn't live up to hype. Emphasis on some and partial. Injuries and players decisions can affect careers.

Geno is a phenomenal coach one of the best. Uconn has had more #1s and top 10 players out of HS than most if not all other programs. It would make sense they send more to the WNBA. But as far as grooming his players for the next level I believe there is a case he's been average or underperformed. Especially with Strother, Walker and KML. They were one dimensional players who it appears he never worked with to expand their games.

I always wondered how he'd do if he coached in the WNBA same with Pat and other great college coaches. For those who point to the National Team, let's be honest with all the talent on those teams it almost doesn't matter who coaches. In the W there's payroll, draft picks, trades, roster spots, the players are no longer kids he wouldn't have the same power over them, players would not deal with his personal attacks as much.It's not like in college where he can get the best players using the Uconn program like he does,.

Anyway, I've watched women's bball closely since the late 80s. The above is just my opinion and what I believe watching his players over the last 30 years.

 

[Voltopia]

I think this is part of his motivating tactic…tell them they’re bad and hope they respond. One thing I can say is, I do feel like some of his players, i.e. Williams and Westbrook have not improved in their time at UConn.

It is. He's trying to guilt them into self-motivation by loudly lamenting how he and his many national titles just can't seem to get any respect with these kids today, and gosh maybe he's the problem. It's obvious. He's also setting the table to provide positive reinforcement to those who buy in and do what he says. He knows they are going to lose some games. He knows it will be the worst stretch of UConn results in a decade. There's no changing that. So might as well go all-in on the narrative and then when he gets Beuckers back he can start giving out precious positive comments to motivate the rest of the team.

The next stretch could get ugly for them, and they have to keep their players from burning out and checking out. He's preparing for what comes after that stretch.

 

[lvocd]

The problem with Auriemma's motivation tactic is that he may have inadvertently spoken some of the hopelessness into existence.

He has always thought of himself as a million times smarter than any of the players on his team, and so assumes they are all so eager to please him, their father figure, that all he has to do play some ridiculously transparent father/daughter psychological games with them and they'll be fine.

 

[Darth_Vol]

I've brought this up before, but I love the parallels to Nick Saban.

I don't read the boneyard, but apparently the Husky fans are wondering if the game has passed Geno by. Opposing fans, especially here, are rejoicing and already writing his coaching obituary. The UConn dynasty is finally dead.

Tennessee still has to play this team, let's see if this mood is the same in a couple of months...

 

[ttharp]

The problem with Auriemma's motivation tactic is that he may have inadvertently spoken some of the hopelessness into existence.

He has always thought of himself as a million times smarter than any of the players on his team, and so assumes they are all so eager to please him, their father figure, that all he has to do play some ridiculously transparent father/daughter psychological games with them and they'll be fine.

Spot on. Right after I read this, the first thought that came to mind was, “and that’s why Candace was left off the 2016 Olympic team.” She didn’t play into that sh*t at all.

 

[Luna2012]

For years I hear all the talk about how many Uconn players are in the WNBA. And they have had a lot!!! . A coaches job is to make their players better each year and prepare them for success at next level right? Sure DT Charles Bird Collier Stewart Cash and Moore have been beyond great. Hayes, Williams, Dolson and Montgomery very good careers better that expected. Now remember how many top players that get out of High School most likely more than any other program. . KML was a #1 she had no impact in the WNBA same with M Walker she was a co number 1I believe (look at her stats? they are awful), Strother was #1 (little to no impact) , Samuelson #1 player (little to no impact), Dangerfield was #3 great rookie year but was way down this season it's my take she won't have much of an impact going forward, Highly ranked M Jefferson has had injuries but just a role player for the most part, C Williams was a #1 0r #2 she doesn't even look to be getting better as a college player, Charde Houston #2 behind Parker role-player at best, Tamika Williams was at op 3 recruit maybe #1 was at best a role player.

I realize I didn't list every UCONN player drafted. I tried to stick with highly ranked players who were also high draft picks. DT Moore Stewart were can't miss WNBA picks. Bird Collier Cash were close to can't miss. Geno is partially responsible for their success, In my opinion, those other top players I listed never got better . They were high picks who didn't live up to their hype or their draft pick. If you give coaches some credit for the successes you need to give them some responsibility with failures or those who didn't live up to hype. Emphasis on some and partial. Injuries and players decisions can affect careers.

Geno is a phenomenal coach one of the best. Uconn has had more #1s and top 10 players out of HS than most if not all other programs. It would make sense they send more to the WNBA. But as far as grooming his players for the next level I believe there is a case he's been average or underperformed. Especially with Strother, Walker and KML. They were one dimensional players who it appears he never worked with to expand their games.

I always wondered how he'd do if he coached in the WNBA same with Pat and other great college coaches. For those who point to the National Team, let's be honest with all the talent on those teams it almost doesn't matter who coaches. In the W there's payroll, draft picks, trades, roster spots, the players are no longer kids he wouldn't have the same power over them, players would not deal with his personal attacks as much.It's not like in college where he can get the best players using the Uconn program like he does,.

Anyway, I've watched women's bball closely since the late 80s. The above is just my opinion and what I believe watching his players over the last 30 years.

I agree with most of what you said. Walker, however, NEVER should have left early. She had a great 2nd half of the season, but was far from being ready for the pros. She should've stayed.

 

[LUVMESUMVOL]

I think this is part of his motivating tactic…tell them they’re bad and hope they respond. One thing I can say is, I do feel like some of his players, i.e. Williams and Westbrook have not improved in their time at UConn.

Yes that's all it is he said that's its messed up from the coaches to the players I promise you he doesn't think any of this is his fault that was just coach talk for the media

 

[Bakers1]

I agree with most of what you said. Walker, however, NEVER should have left early. She had a great 2nd half of the season, but was far from being ready for the pros. She should've stayed.

Totally agree about Walker. Though I'm not sure it would've helped. I feel like maybe the program or system wasn't right for her. If she was there this year after all the injuries she certainly would have had her shot to play a lot of minutes which may very well have given her the confidence she needs.